Report: Why haven’t Maguindanao gunmen been arrested?

International press freedom groups, including
CPJ, have released a new, in-depth report into the November massacre of 30
journalists and two media support workers in Maguindanao province, Philippines.
The 32-page
document questions why roughly 100 gunmen believed to be involved in the election-related
killings have yet to be arrested, and it emphasizes the need for international
groups to closely monitor the investigation and court proceedings.

“The massacre underlines the terrible
dangers that Filipino journalists face. It also highlights the inability and
unwillingness of the state to ensure the protection and safety of journalists
who are seeking to perform their duties,” the international mission
members said in
a statement announcing the report’s January 23 launch. “This
massacre, coming at the very beginning of the 2010 election process, not only
undermines that process but has dealt a cruel blow to democracy and free media
in the Philippines.”

The report compiles the findings of a December 5-10 mission
led by the International Federation of Journalists. The delegation (in which I
participated as CPJ’s representative) met with victims’ family members, local
journalists, prosecutors, diplomats, and government officials. Our joint report,
Massacre
in the Philippines: International Solidarity Mission Rapid Assessment, builds
on the initial findings of four local groups--the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines,
the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, the Freedom Fund of
Filipino Journalists, and MindaNews--which conducted an on-the-ground
investigation immediately after the November 23, 2009, killings, which claimed
57 lives in all. The Philippine union was instrumental in arranging the
itinerary for our 10-member international delegation.

The international mission’s
findings include a detailed timeline of events on the day of the massacre,
along with an account by a journalist who turned back from the convoy. It will
add to the growing store of evidence and testimony being compiled against Datu
Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., who has been detained and faces multiple murder
charges over his alleged role in the crime. He has pleaded innocent, claiming
that the killings were actually perpetrated by his political opponents. His
lawyers are seeking his release on bail.

Authorities say the killings were motivated by political
clan rivalries. The journalists were accompanying a convoy of people traveling
to Shariff Aguak, the provincial capital, to file gubernatorial candidacy
papers on behalf of political clan leader Esmael Mangudadatu, an Ampatuan
rival.

The joint
mission report raises concerns about the government’s handling of forensic
evidence at the massacre site and cites fears that the legal proceedings will be
compromised in light of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s political ties to
the Ampatuan clan. It questions why authorities have yet to arrest any
of the estimated 100 gunmen—many believed to be local police officials—who ambushed
the convoy. The gunmen led those in the convoy to a remote area in the town of Ampatuan, shot them, and then
dumped their bodies into pits that had been prepared ahead of time.

Underscoring concerns of a possible official whitewash, the
report highlights the role of Maj. Gen. Alfredo Cayton, commander of the 6th
Infantry Division in Maguindanao province at the time of the massacre. A local
journalist had requested that the military provide security for the convoy, a
request that Cayton denied. He was relieved of duty in the immediate aftermath
of the massacre, but has since been promoted to vice commander of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines.

The joint mission report stresses the need for independent
international observers to monitor the investigation and court proceedings. As
the media spotlight fades, it’s essential the international community maintain
pressure on the administration of President Arroyo and that of her successor to
ensure that justice is served.

Shawn W. Crispin is CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative.

CPJ Senior Southeast Asia Representative Shawn W. Crispin is based in Bangkok, where he is a reporter and editor for Asia Times Online. He has led CPJ missions throughout the region, and is the author of the CPJ special report, "Vietnam’s press freedom shrinks despite open economy."

Comments

I personally know 4 of those 30 journalists massacred by the Ampatuans with their gunmen.
Those 4 were reporters of UNTV 37.
The Philippine journalists are really in need of help from the international community.
Please help us.

Hello, I admire the vigilance of all sectors of our society specially the media in ensuring that justice will be carried out properly and uncompromised. The Magundanao Massacare is not only reflective of violence specifically directed at media. I humbly believe that this is not a direct attack against our journalist brothers. They are collateral victims in this heinous crime. More importantly, we need to see that respect to an individual's freedom to enjoy their life was the main target on account of satisfying one's inhuman desire. Vigilance must not only be stressed in protecting our journalist brothers, but together, must work to achieve concerted efforts to maintain awareness of the freedom to enjoy the integrity of life of every person and help to carry out the preservation of each one's God given life.